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Attractions in
Dunning
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Dunning, sit uated
ten miles east of Perth just south of the A9,
is on the site of ancient Iron-Age Settlements with hill forts
in the area. An endearing old village next to the Ochils, it has
number of sites of particular interest. Dominated by St Serfs
Church, in the village centre are the Fountain, the Thorn Tree
memorial and nearby the Old Stone Well.
The burning of Dunning by the Jacobites in 1716 was commemorated by the villagers who erected the thorn tree, which the village maintains to this day. In Kirk Wynd you
will see the only building to avoid the destruction.
 The
Monument of Maggie Wall, simply says “Maggie Wall
burnt here as a witch – 1657” She was one of over 4,000 women executed for
witchcraft in Scotland during the 16th & 17th Centuries. These
executions are often well documented but surprisingly there are
no records for Maggie Wall. It is also surprising to have a
memorial, (the only one of its kind in Scotland) particularly
one with a cross to a witch. Is it a mark of shame and
repentance for those responsible? Located beside the B8062 to Auchterarder Road.
 St Serf’s Church dominates the village. St
Serf, one of Scotland’s earliest Saints, brought Christianity to
the village in the 5th Century. Allegedly Dunning was one of his
favourite foundations. St Serf died here. Records first mention
the church in 1219, but there is evidence of a much earlier
church in the building. The tower dates from the mid-12th
Century. The church was extensively remodelled in 1810 and is a
fine illustration of a T-plan with three arms directed towards a
central pulpit and communion table. In the church you will see
the The Dupplin Cross, the only complete example of a
free-standing cross from the land of the Picts. This is a superb
piece of work by a Pictish Sculptor standing 3m high and carved
from local sandstone, in honour of King of the Picts (789 – 820)
Constantine, son of Fergus. In the last ten years of his reign
he was the first Pictish King to rule the Scots in Dal Riata in
Argyll. St Serf’s Church, Dunning. Open April – Sept from 9.30am
to 6.30pm.
Comrie / Crieff / Dunning / Free Visitor Guide / Other places / Other villages | 
